LCHF - Low Carb High Fat Diet Ver 2

[Cuppa Bru]

Got my first order of raw milk from Organic Emporium yesterday. Milk tastes plain, almost nutty. They never carry Kefir stock, though.

Can someone on the East Rand spare some Kefir? PM me if you can help.

[Marge]

 

While I'm there, can I ask a normal GP to take a blood sample and what do I need to look for when monitoring health on LCHF? Cholesterol I know, but what else?

 

 

I just hope your GP is more clued up on LCHF than mine. I wanted to do the same seeing that I'm struggling so much to lose weight, so I google a bit and thought I should at least do an average BG test (A1C I think), thyroid and tests for hormonal imbalances, but he wouldn't budge. He just gave me a form to take to Pathcare, and selected the normal BG test, cholesterol and thyroid test.

 

PS: any references for good GP’s in Stellenbosch?

Edited August 23, 2013 by Marge

[DaleE]

While I'm there, can I ask a normal GP to take a blood sample and what do I need to look for when monitoring health on LCHF? Cholesterol I know, but what else?

 

It really depends on what your concern is. For me, cardiac health is the primary driver for LCHF. Weight loss and improved athletic performance are beneficial side effects. So, if cardiac health is your concern, then I would (and do) test the following:

 

Triglycerides - this is the suff of heart attacks

Ultra sensitive CRP - a measure of inflammation in the body

HbA1c - average blood sugar levels for 3 months or so

VitD - good indicator of heart health

Apo-lipo A1 & B - cholesterol related test, see below

 

You could also do stuff like insulin resistance and sensitivity tests if you used to eat lots of sugar or have diabetes in your family but the HbA1c will give you a 3 month average value, so only do the insulin if that one is high.

 

Be careful with 'regular' Cholesterol testing. I realise it is the standard test for 99% of GP's, but having had a heart attack with a S-cholesterol value of 5 (which is not considered high), I'm of the opinion that total cholesterol (also called serum cholesterol) is a lousy indicator of anything. Now, that's not to say that cholesterol is a total myth, but dont focus on the total value. IF you really want a cholesterol picture go get a Apo-lipo A1 and Apo-lipo B tests done. Go to pathcare, request the tests specifically. They take around 8 days for the results. This will give you a picture of the size and amount of cholesterol which is a far better view.

 

This post is from my cardiologist an it explains the issue quite well. http://cardiologydoc.wordpress.com go to the May15th entry. You will see that he is somewhat at odds with Noake's view, but explains cholesterol and lipoproteins quite nicely.

 

Lastly, be aware that every test from a lab comes back with a 'reference range'. In other words the 'normal' range for the test. IMHO, those reference ranges are BS. They are based on an unhealthy American population.

Edited August 23, 2013 by DaleE

[tombeej]

Got my first order of raw milk from Organic Emporium yesterday. Milk tastes plain, almost nutty. They never carry Kefir stock, though.

Can someone on the East Rand spare some Kefir? PM me if you can help.

 

I bought my starter pack (3 'grains' for R60) from a local lady here in KZN. She does post nationally as well - so you'd just need to pay the R60 + postage (approx. R90 to a PO Box and R170 to a physical address).

 

I can PM her details to you if you like.

[Cuppa Bru]

I bought my starter pack (3 'grains' for R60) from a local lady here in KZN. She does post nationally as well - so you'd just need to pay the R60 + postage (approx. R90 to a PO Box and R170 to a physical address).

 

I can PM her details to you if you like.

 

Thanks for trying to help, but @ R150 I will rather wait a bit to arrange with someone local. :thumbs-up:

[htone]

Best ever probiotic - homemade kefir. I have it every day. Yum!

 

Me too. Works like a charm.

[htone]

I decided that I need to go see the doctor today after battling with a flu virus for weeks, and I have an important race in two weeks time.

 

While I'm there, can I ask a normal GP to take a blood sample and what do I need to look for when monitoring health on LCHF? Cholesterol I know, but what else?

 

Also, if he prescribes antibiotics, I think I should do a course of probiotics too, since I feel I have had generally poor health and immune system this year. Does one start with PBs after finishing ABs? Any brand I should specifically get?

 

Reuteri Intensive will sort you. Start with the AB's.

 

Ask for a lipogram, that covers most of the cholesterol measures, and have them do an HbA1c (long term BG) - but you will have to fast for that (he should give you those instructions).

[htone]

 

 

It really depends on what your concern is. For me, cardiac health is the primary driver for LCHF. Weight loss and improved athletic performance are beneficial side effects. So, if cardiac health is your concern, then I would (and do) test the following:

 

Triglycerides - this is the suff of heart attacks

Ultra sensitive CRP - a measure of inflammation in the body

HbA1c - average blood sugar levels for 3 months or so

VitD - good indicator of heart health

Apo-lipo A1 & B - cholesterol related test, see below

 

You could also do stuff like insulin resistance and sensitivity tests if you used to eat lots of sugar or have diabetes in your family but the HbA1c will give you a 3 month average value, so only do the insulin if that one is high.

 

Be careful with 'regular' Cholesterol testing. I realise it is the standard test for 99% of GP's, but having had a heart attack with a S-cholesterol value of 5 (which is not considered high), I'm of the opinion that total cholesterol (also called serum cholesterol) is a lousy indicator of anything. Now, that's not to say that cholesterol is a total myth, but dont focus on the total value. IF you really want a cholesterol picture go get a Apo-lipo A1 and Apo-lipo B tests done. Go to pathcare, request the tests specifically. They take around 8 days for the results. This will give you a picture of the size and amount of cholesterol which is a far better view.

 

This post is from my cardiologist an it explains the issue quite well. http://cardiologydoc.wordpress.com go to the May15th entry. You will see that he is somewhat at odds with Noake's view, but explains cholesterol and lipoproteins quite nicely.

 

Lastly, be aware that every test from a lab comes back with a 'reference range'. In other words the 'normal' range for the test. IMHO, those reference ranges are BS. They are based on an unhealthy American population.

 

Thanks DaleE - missed your very complete reply. Welcome back !

[htone]

Just confirming, the Food Inc movie has copied to the dropbox folder.

 

Tombeej, please let me know if you manage to copy your files across ?

 

The Missus will copy Generation Rx tonight.

[nochain]

So did the Discovery health check today.

They scored me negative on 2 things.

 

Cholesterol being 5.8 and not 5......

For not having at least 5 servings of fruit and veggies per day.

 

My discovery age is 39,one year older than I really am due to these 2 things.

 

Last year did the test and scored full marks with a Discovery age of 34...

 

Shows you how they still think about health.....

[htone]

So did the Discovery health check today.

They scored me negative on 2 things.

 

Cholesterol being 5.8 and not 5......

For not having at least 5 servings of fruit and veggies per day.

 

My discovery age is 39,one year older than I really am due to these 2 things.

 

Last year did the test and scored full marks with a Discovery age of 34...

 

Shows you how they still think about health.....

 

Yep, had a call from a friend whose cholesterol came it a 5.4 - his doctor says he wants it below 3.0.... Go figure.

This is going to take time, but there will be a tipping point and I hope it is sooner rather than later.

[htone]

Just confirming, the Food Inc movie has copied to the dropbox folder.

 

Tombeej, please let me know if you manage to copy your files across ?

 

The Missus will copy Generation Rx tonight.

 

Generation Rx has copied - if you have kids of school-going age, watch this movie.

Both Gen Rx and Food Inc are full-length movies of around 700MB so just allow some time for the downloads.

[An3]

Got my first order of raw milk from Organic Emporium yesterday. Milk tastes plain, almost nutty. They never carry Kefir stock, though.

Can someone on the East Rand spare some Kefir? PM me if you can help.

 

I will give you some when you collect your nuts

[tombeej]

The other documentary you need to watch is called 'Doctored'. It's about the pharmaceutical/healthcare industry and what they do to make us 'need' to keep buying their products. For those of you who are completely healthy but are being told to get onto statins 'now', this is one to watch. About as important as Food Inc and the others.

 

Folks, I only have 3G at home, and not a very big cap. Any chance I can post a few copies of my CD to a few people on this thread and they can upload to our Dropbox link, and also share with others? If you can help me, send PM.

[tombeej]

We can start a chain letter thingamajig - I post the CD with all the doccies to someone. They save the files to their PC then post on to the next person. If it keeps going from one person to another we can reach many people that way....

 

So whose first? Send me your postal address.

[htone]

We can start a chain letter thingamajig - I post the CD with all the doccies to someone. They save the files to their PC then post on to the next person. If it keeps going from one person to another we can reach many people that way....

 

So whose first? Send me your postal address.

 

Tombeej, just send the complete list of doccies you deem worth watching, I will download those and copy to Dropbox (keeping in mind there is a finite space limit on Dropbox). You can then mail the CD's to those with limited bandwidth ?